Shock-absorbing device.



C. H. FOSTER. SHOCK ABSORBING DEVICE.

APPLIOATION FILED 001x11, 1911.

1,089,828, Patented Mar. 10, 1914 M i i/1 11 hf/lineages: [Taveml'armfiw l ,r V

Attics UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CLAUD H. FOSTER, 0F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SHOCK-ABSORIBING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 11, 1911.

T0 a?! whom it may concern Be it known that 1. (Late H. Fos'ricn, acitizen of the lnited States, residing at Cleveland. in the county ofCuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and usefulImprovement in Shock-Absorbing Devices, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description, reference be ing had to theaccompanying drawings.

This invention relates to shock absorbing devices such as are interposedbetween the axles and bodies of vehicles or other relatively movablemembers for the purpose of reducing the. extent of vibration or relativemovement of such members, whereby injury to and excessive and injuriousmovement of the springs (in the case of vehicles) and of the connectedmembers are prevented. The invention disclosed herein is of the samegeneral type as that disclosed in my application No. 426,141t filedApril 9th. 1908, and in my application Xo. 639,702 filed July 21, 191i.Asisthc case with theinventions ofthe aforesaid applications, the devicedisclosed herein comprises a flat spiral spring one end of which isoperatively connected to one of the relatively movable parts with whichsuch device is to be associated, while the other end is operativelyconnected with the other part. a pliable or flexible strap or band beingwrapped around the spring. the arrangement being such that any movement,tending to separate the relatively movable parts will he cushioned bythe spring while the latter is protected from injury by the frictionaldrag exerted by and between the convolutions of the strap or band. Thepliable band or strap is shown herein as connected to the spiral orhelical spring in such manner as to form therewith a composite flexibleband. the pliable band exerting a frictional drag between theeonvolutions of the spring band. thus protecting the central springagainst sudden shocks.

In the particular embodiment of my invention disclosed herein. theclosing of the central portion of the helical spring band is resisted.not only by the convolutions ot' the spring band itself, but by anadditional yielding resistance inserted within the center of the same.such resistance, in the embodiment shown herein, being provided by meansof a cylindrical compression spring.

It is the general purpose and object of this invention to provide adevice of the character referred to that is simple in conjstruction.easy of application to the parts with which it is associated and whichis particularly durable and etlicicnt in operation. I tulffllliiillHllthe foregoing objects and other objects which will appear hereinafter bythe construction illustrated in the drawings forming a part hereof,wherein- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a vehicle frame and asectional view of an axle, to which parts my invention is shown asapplied. Fig. 2 represents a sectional detail corresponding to the line22 of Fig. 1; and Fig. Zha sectional detail corresponding to the line 33of Fig. 1.

Describing by reference characters the various parts illustrated. 1denotes one of the side frames of a vehicle body. such frame being ofordinary channel construction, the bottom flange of the channel beingindicated at 2.

3 denotes the axle of the vehicle.

The spring is omitted for clearness of illustration.

4 denotes a base. which may be of rigid metal, said base being providedwith an angular extension .3 having an elongated slot for the receptionof the [hinge 2, a set screw 6 being provided for clamping the extensionand base to the tlangc.

T denotes an arcuate projection carried by the base and extending atright angles therefrom. and S denotes the bottom of a casing(pretcrablyof sheet metal) which is mounted upon said base. iigid andpreferably integral with the projection T is a tubular supporting member9. This member telescopically receives a complementary member 10 carriedby an arcuate projection 11 opposed and similar to the projection T. Acylindrical spring of the compression type surrounds and is supported bythe members 9 and 10 and has it opposite ends abutting against thearcuate projections 7 and 11.

1;) denotes a flat spring metal band which is secured to one end of theprojection T and is wrapped around said projection and the complementaryprojection 11. H denotes a band of flexible friction material, such asleather. canvas, or belting, which is also sccured to one end of theprojection 7 outside the former band and conveniently by the same rivets15 by which the band 13 is secured thereto. lhese two plies or hands ofmetal and flexible material form a composite band which is wrapped anumber of times around the central portion provided by the projections 7and 11 and the interposed spring 12. The outer end of the spring band 13preferably does not extend to the extreme outer portion of the compositecoil. In practice, I find it advisable to have nearly one more turn ofthe flexible band 14 than of the metal band or .strap 13. The outer orfree end of this band of flexible material is shown as secured to theaxle 3 by means of a suitable clamping device 16.

For the purpose of protecting the parts from dust, the parts may beinclosed in a suitable housing 17 of sheet metal fitted within a flange8 carried by the bottom member 8 of said housing. The housing proper isprovided with an opening 18 for the passage of the flexible strap orband.

With the parts constructed as described, it will be apparent that anyforce tending to separate the two relative movable members will tend tocontract or close the composite coil and that this tendency will beresisted by the cylindrical spring 12. Under extreme conditions, themovable projection 11 substantially contacts with the fixed pro,-jection 7. In order to prevent any distortion or kinking of the bands 13and 14, the ends of the projections 11 and 7 which are opposite the endto which the bands are attached will be in substantially the same plane,while the end of the projection 11 which is complementary to the end ofthe projection 7 to which the bands are attached will be extended beyondthe latter a distance substantially equal to the combined thickness ofthe bands. By this construction, the composite band may be wrappedaround the projections 11 and 7' without any distortion in passing fromone ofsaid projections to and around the other.

A great advantage of the construction shown herein lies in thefact thatthe closing or contraction of the central part of the spring band isresisted by a spring of the cylindrical or compression type which iscapable of standing indefinitely the strain to which it is subjected.Moreover, providing the curved projections 7 and 11 for the combinedspring and flexible band allows the composite band thus formed tocontract evenly and open or expand in like manner. By using the springmetal band 13 and interposing the same between the successive turns ofthe band 14, the latter is caused to open up freely as the tworelatively movable members approach each other, whereby the compressionspring at the center is permitted to expand and be in condition toreceive and cushion the next shock incident to a separation of therelative movable members. Furthermore, the flexible band 14 serves as afriction drag between the convolutions of the spring metal band and thusretards the contraction of the central portion of said band and of thespring 12 within the same, cushioning the shocks transmitted to saidspring.

While my invention is shown as applied to two vehicle members, itis'evident that it may be applied to any other relatively movablemembers, to resist their separation and to cushion the movements.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: p

1. The combination of a compression spring, a flexible device wrappedaround said spring, and a supporting member interposed between saiddevice and said spring.

2. The combination of a compression spring, a flexible band wrappedaround said spring, and relatively fixed and movable supporting membersinterposed between said band and said spring.

3. The combination, with a pair ofrelatively movable members, of a shockabsorbing device comprising a compression spring, a flexible bandwrapped around said spring, abutments for the ends of said spring andoperatively interposed between such ends and said band, means-connectingone end of the band to one of said members, and means connecting theother end of said band to the other member.

4:. A shock absorbing device comprising a compression spring, a flexibleband wrapped around said spring, and relatively movable abutmentsoperatively interposed between the ends of said spring and said band.

5. The combination, with a pair of relatively moving members, of a shockabsorbing device comprising a base, a curved projection carried by thebase and provided with a spring supporting member, a curved projectioncomplementary to the first mentioned projection and provided with. aspring supporting member, the last mentioned members beingtelescopically fitted one within the other, a spring surrounding thespring supporting members, a flexible band having its inner endconnected with said base and wrapped around said projections, meansconnecting thebase to one of the first-mentioned members, and meansconnecting the outer end of the band with the other of said members.

6. A shock absorbing device comprising a curved projection provided witha spring supporting member, a curved projection complementary to thefirst mentioned projection and provided with a spring supporting member,said members being slidably fitted together, a spring surrounding saidmembers, and a flexible band wrapped around said members. I

7. The combination, with a pair of relatively movable members, of acompression spring, a band of pliable material wrapped around saidspring, a band of spring metal also wrapped around said spring andinterposed between the convolutions of the former band and connectedthereto, means connecting one end of the first mentioned band to one ofthe members, and means connecting the opposite end of said band to theother member.

8. The combination, with a pair of relatively movable members, of acompression spring, a composite band of flexible material and springmetal wrapped around said spring, means connecting one end of the bandto one of the members, and means connecting the opposite end of saidband to the other member.

9. The combination, with a pair of relatively movable members, of a pairof telescoping spring supporting members, a spring surrounding saidmembers, a curved projection carried by each of the last mentionedmembers, a band wrapped around said projections and having its inner endconnected to one of the first mentioned members and its outer endconnected to the other of said members.

10. The combination, with a pair of relatively movable members, of abase having a curved projection rigid therewith, a second curvedprojection, a spring interposed be tween said projections, a band havingone end secured to one of said projections and wrapped around the otherprojection, means connecting said base to one of the relatively movablemembers, and means connecting the outer end of the band to the othermember.

11. A device of the character specified comprising a pair of opposedcurved projec-. tions, a compression spring interposed between saidprojections, and a composite spring metal and flexible band wrapped aplurality of times about both of said pro jections.

12. A device of the character specified comprising a pair of opposedmembers, a compression spring interposed between said members, and acomposite band wrapped around said members, said band comprisingalternating convolutions of spring metal and flexible friction material.

13. In a device of the character specified, the combination of a base, acurved member rigid with said base and having a spring support, a secondcurved member having a spring support slidably mounted with respect tothe other support, a compression spring interposed between said membersand mounted upon the outer support, a spring metal band secured at oneend to the fixed member, a band of flexible material also secured tosaid member outside the first mentioned band, said bands being wrapped aplurality of times about said members and the outer end of the firstmentioned band being secured to the second band and the outer end of thelatter band extending beyond the outer end of the former band.

14. In a device of the character specified, l

the combination of a base having a curved member rigid therewith, saidmember being provided with a projection, a second curved member having aprojection slidably mounted with respect to the first projection, acompression spring mounted upon the support formed by said projections,the second member having one end in substantially the plane of thecorresponding end of the first member and having its other end outsideof a plane passing through the corresponding other end of the firstmember, and a flexible band having one end secured to the last mentionedend of the first member and wrapped around said members.

In a device of the character specified, the combination of a spring ofthe compression type, means for supporting the same, a flexible bandwrapped around said spring, and means tending to open the convolutionsof said band.

16. In a device of the character specified, the combination of a springof the compression type, means for supporting the same, a band of springmetal wrapped around said spring, and friction material interposedbetween some of the convolutions of said band.

17. In a device of the character specified, the combination of a spiralor helical spring, means within the spring and additional thereto foryieldingly resisting the closing movement thereof, a support for suchyielding means, and a flexible or pliable band wrapped around the saidspring.

18. In a device of the character specified, the combination of acontractible and expansible spring, a flexible band wrapped a pluralityof times around said spring, and means tending to open the convolutionsof said band.

19. The combination, with a pair of relatively movable members, of anabutment connected to one of said members, an abutment opposed to thefirst mentioned abutment, a spring interposed between said abutments,and a flexible device connecting the second abutment to the othermovable member.

20. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a pair ofabutments, a tubular guide projecting from one of said abutments, aprojection extending from the other abutment and fitting within saidguide, a spring interposed between said abutments, and a flexible memberconnected to one of said abutmcnts.

21. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of anabutment, a tubular guide projecting from said abutment, a secondabutment having a portion fitting within said guide. a coiled springinterposed be tween said abutments. and a flexible member connected toone of said abutments.

In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a pair ofrelatively movable abutments, a tubular guide projecting from one ofsaid abutments, a projection extending from the other abutment andslidably fitted in said guide, a coiled spring interposed between saidabutments, and a flexible member connected to one of said abutments formoving the same toward the other against the action of said spring.

23. The combination, with a pair of relatively movable members, of anabutment connected to one of said members, a second abutment opposed tothe first mentioned abutment, a tubular guide projecting from one ofsaid-abutments, a projection carried by the other abutment andtelescoping with- 15 in. said guide, a spring interposed between saidabutments, and a flexible device connecting the second abutment and thesecond movable member.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my 20 signature in the presenceof two witnesses.

CLAUD H. FOSTER.

Witnesses J. B. HULL, BRENNAN B.-WEsT.

